Bed and platen hectographic addressing machine



' J. A. WEBER Feb. 20, 1951 BED AND PLATEN HECTOGRAPHIC ADDRESSING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 5, 1948 J. A. WEBER 2,54 ,443

BED AND PLATEN HECTOGRAPHIC ADDRESSING MACHINE 4 sheets sheet 2 EZY/Z flfOWJ JZse fzfi Mafia?" Jftmwwy Feb. 20, 1951 Flled Dec s, 1948 Feb. 20, 1951 J. A. WEBER BED AND PLATE-N HECTOGRAPHIC ADDRESSING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 3, 1948 M 5% @M NN mm an i mm 9% NN w w-m mm fin -JHHW hm U 1 Mh h NW NW.

WWW WW I IWM w R 6% m w r m Patented Feb. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BED AND 'PLATEN HECTOGRAPHIC ADDRESSING MACHINE This invention relates to a new and improved addressing machine.

There are many devices and apparatus built for the purpose of imprinting names, addresses, and other short indicia. The majority of the presently marketed devices are cost y both as to initial investment and as to the upkeep thereof. Numerous principles are employed in these various-devices and yet all of them are relatively complex, making them difficult and inconvenient to operate.

In our highly specialized-and advertising world the need for addressing has increased tremendously. For example, in the medical field doctors are classified in numerous categories such as physicians, surgeons, occulists, pediatricians, chiropodists, and many others. It is desirable to be able to select a list of any class in-order to address mail or circulars to each of the members of that class. When a list is once made up it is important to be able to use it over and over again. Further, the list must be sufficiently flexible so that certain names can be omitted or new ones added as desired. With the constant changing of an active list of names and addresses the method and means for accomplishing an imprinting of them must be very economical. Many times a list of selected names will be relatively small yet if they must be written or typed very often some mechanical means of reproducing them will prove very beneficial. Another example of proper usage of an addressing machine is for secretaries of clubs who must address correspondence to club members at regular time intervals.

A principal object of this invention is to provide an addressing machine capable of quickly and conveniently reproducing a list of addresses or the like.

An important object of this invention is the provision of an addressing machine incorporating the principle of reproduction by the partial dissolving of dyes such as the well known aniline dyes.

Another important object-of this invention is to supply an addressing machine having an arcuately swingable stamping head on which the copy list to be reproduced is carried for easy finger advancement to effect the imprinting of successive names on the list.

A still further important object of this invention is the provision-of atransparent stamping head to enable convenient centering of a name and address therebeneath and/or selecting or rejecting certainnames on the list. i

A further object of this invention is to provide a wetting means for the material to be imprinted for the purpose of partialy dissolving the aniline dye of the list to be (reproduced.

A still further important object is the provision of cooperative rubber feed rolls, yieldably separable and arranged in such a manner to contact a Wetting wick which in turn wets the material to be imprinted.

Another and still further important objectof this invention is to provide a reservoir ,of wetting solution arranged andconstructed with adjustable means to more or less wet the material to be .imprinted depending on the absorbing characteristics of that material.

Other and further important objects will become apparent from thediscosures in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of the addressing machine of this invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the device as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is the other end view taken on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the wetting device.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral N] indicates generally a supporting structure or framework upon which the addressing mechanism of this invention is mounted and carried. As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, the supporting structure includes a base member H, and a rectangularly shaped housing l2, positioned to the rear of the base. The top of the housing 12 is equipped with a platform' I 3 over which materialto be imprinted is passed. A guide flange I4 extending upwardly from the platform I3 is adapted to maintain the material such as envelopes or cards or the like in paralel relationship with the printing mechanism of this invention. The platform or guide plate I3 is preferably a polished metal over which the envelopes may be easily slid.

The starting point for the feeding of material to be imprinted is on the left hand sideof the machine asviewed in both of Figures 21 and 2. Thematerial to be so imprinted is moved toward the right where it is gripped by cooperative rolls [5 and Hi. The upper roll designated by the numeral I5 is a moistening roll as will hereafter be described and is carried on a shaft H which is in turn journalled within a supporting baillike member l8. This bail member depends from a super structure l9 by means of cap screws 20 or the like. The super structure as best shown in Figure 4 is provided with an upwardly extending frame member 2!, and a forwardly extending arm or frame member 22 which is the direct support for the depending bail E8. The lower cooperative roll [6 is similarly supplied with a shaft member 23 journalledwithin a bail member 24, very similar to the member l8 of the upper cooperative roll l5. The lower bail member 24 is carried on a spring arm 25 by means of cap screws or the like 26. The other end of the spring is fastened to the underside of the housing 12 by means of cap screws, bolts, or the like 21. An opening 28 in the upper portion of the housing l2 permits passage of the lower roller l6 and it will thus be seen that the roll I6 is yieldably movable toward and away from the upper roll l5. I

For the purpose of better gripping material -to be imprinted, the cooperative rolls l and I6 are made of rubber or other materials which have or possess considerable friction or gripping power within themselves. The spring-held rubber roller l6 provides for various thicknesses of materials tobe imprinted and constitutes a pressure roller for the gripping'of materials'to be imprinted. As the envelope or card passes through the rollers I5 and 16 it enters a position over the platen 29 of the stamping machine of this invention. As shown in the drawings the platen 29 is of a sponge rubber material and is adapted to yield upon the pressing or stamping head member coming down thereupon.

The stamping head includes a structure 30 comprising spaced, parallel, substantially vertical members 31a and tlb and spaced parallel forwardly and upwardiy extending members 32a and 3212. These members 3! and 32 are welded, brazed or otherwise fastened together at approximately right angles with respect to each other as shown at 33a and 33b respectively. The unitary structure 30 is hinged on a shaft 34 passing through the upright members Sla and 3H) and journalled within the super structure of the housing l2. One end of the hinging shaft 34 is carried in an upwardly extending lug member 35 and its other end is carried in the upwardly extending frame member 2|, which asrpreviously described, carries the bail member l8 for journally and rotatably supporting the upper cooperative roll member 15. The substantially vertically disposed spaced members are and 35b extend downwardly through openings 36a and 36b in the top of the housing i2, whereupon their which enables indicia or printed matter on the copy roll to be clearly read therethrough. The pres member 42 as best shown in Figure 1 is supported at its ends by bracket members 43a and 43b which are firmly attached to the press member 42 by means of screws or the likeMa and Mb. The brackets 63d and 6312 have upwardly extending members a and 45b respectively which are fastened by means of welding or the like as shown at 46a, and 46b to the forwardly extending arms 32a and 3212 respectively.

lower ends are joined by means of a cross shaft 7 v 31. A spring 38 isattached atone end to the cross shaft 31 and at its other end is fastened to a lug member 39 on the base ll of the stamping machine; The spring 38 tend to normally pull the arms 31a and 31b forwardly of the machine so that the arms 3m and 311) are slightly in. clined as pictured in both of the Figures 3 and 1.

The rearward ends of the arms 32a and 322) are further joined by an end member 40. Ahandle in the form of a tubular member iii joins the forward ends of the arms 32a and 32b and in' The press or stamping head 42 is preferably in the form of a transparent plastics material- It'will. be evident from the description of the structural members that the unit 30 may be swung downwardly about its hinge shaft 34 by 'or take-up spool 48 is similarly equipped with enlarged side disc members ABa'and 482) the peripheral edges of which are knurled or milled or just roughened for easy rotation of the spool by means of finger contact.

mounted on the hinged stamping unit 3!]; As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, the spools ll and 48 have shafts G9 and 53 respectively, which are journalled in aligned notches 51a and 51b, and 52a and 52b in the arms 32a and732b respectively. Figure 3 best shows the path of the copy roll 53 passing from the supply spool 41 downwardly beneath the press or stamping head 42 and thence forwardly to its rewind position on the spool 48. r

The copy roll is a list'or other indicia written or typewritten on a roll of paper with an aniline dye impregnated on the underside of the paper which may be partially dissolved and transferred to other material such as envelopes or cards. Each of the spools t7 and 48 is provided with small diameter hub members 54a and 54b, and55a and 55b respectively, for the purpose of receiving pressure by means of leaf spring members 56a and 56b, and'5la and 5% respectively. 7 Thus the copy roll 53 may be maintained under a constant tension, so that as the roll 53 is wound on the rewind spool 48 that portion of the copy roll which is beneath the stamping head 32, will be relatively flat and free of wrinkles so that a clear impression may be imparted from the aniline dye on the under side of the copy roll to the envelopeor card which is being imprinted. V

It is necessary in order to effect a transferring of the printed material on the copy roll to wet or otherwise moisten that portion of the envelope or card which is to receive the printed material. The function of the wetted portion is to partially dissolve the aniline dye and transfer that portion to the card or envelope. A reservoir 58 in the form of an inverted'glass bottle has a screw cap 59 on the bottom thereof. A downwardly extending feeding tube $9 from the bottom cap 5% carries the liquid content from the reservoir 53 to an auxiliary tank member M in the form'of an L- shaped member l aving'an upright portion 62,,

Both the supply and rewind spools 47 and 43 are journally 5. 6 l Asbest shown inFigure 5, the discharge tube- 600i the reservoir bottle 58 isbrazed or otherwise fastened to the cap 59 at 64. Thelower end of the tube til'has an inclined cutT-oii as shown at E5for the-purpose ofadmitting air to the reservoir so that the liquid will freely flow from the reservoir to the tank (ii; A valve 66 is adapted: to engage a seat 61 formed in the upper portion of the tube iii: at the position of the cap 59; The valve 66 is provided with an upwardly extending shaft 63 and a downwardly extending aligned shaft 69. A spring l8 surrounds the shaft portion 68 and is positioned between-the: upperportion of the valve fifigand a bail-like bracket: member H for normally urging the valve 66 closed against its seat It. The bracket member H is provided with flanged foot portions 12' and. 13 which are welded or otherwise fastenedby brazing to the cap member 59; The shaft member 68 extends upwardly through an aperture '54 in the cross portion ofthe bail-like strip TH, so that the valve is guided for true vertical movement. When. the reservoir 58 is removed from the tank. 65 the valve 65 automatically closes preventing liquid from the bottle 58 to pass downwardly through the tubular feeding portion 60. However, when the reservoir is piacedinto the tank t l the downward extension 59' of. the valve 66 contacts the bottom of the tank 6! and pushes the valve 66 upwardly against. the action or" the spring it, thus permitting flow of liquid from the reservoir 58 to the tank 5L The level of the liquid in the tank 6! may be varied by means of raising or lowering the tubular member 601 with respectto the tank 6 I. In order to accomplish this relative positioning of the tube 60 to the tank 6|, a projection i5 is fixedly mounted on the side of the tube 65 and is adapted to extend outwardly therefrom for engagement with a plurality of stepped surfaces on the upper end of the tubular portion 62 of the tank 6 i. As shown in Figure 4, the projection i5 is in the lowermost notch 16 thereupon providing that the level of the liquid in the tank 6| shall be at a minimum. In additionto. the stepped notch the upper end of the tube 62 also includes the steps Ill and i8. By rotating the tube 59 with respect to the tube 62 and raising the tube 51] the projection 75 which is integral with the reservoir tube may be lodged on either one of the steps l! and "i8. By changing the position of the projection 15 the tube is raised with respect to the tank. 6| thereby permitting greater quantities of liquid to flow from the reservoir 58 to the tank 6 i As best shown in Figure 2, the tank 6! is provided with an opening it in. the right hand side. thereof for passage of a wick or the. like 8133 which extends down into the liquid 8| within the tank. 6! and projects outwardly through. the slot l9 to sliding engagement with the roller it as shown. at 82'. Thus, the passing ofthe material to be imprinted through the feeding rollers i5 and [6 causes the rollers to rotate and the wick 86 to impart a thin layer of liquid to the moistening roll i5 which in turn imparts. the liquid to the envelope or card or the like. Certain paper stock is more absorbent than others and thus the possibility of various levels of solution in the tank ill by putting the projection '55 on the desired step i6, '51, or it is important to the successful wetting of all envelopes or cards used.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 4 the platform l3 over which the material to be imprinted is passed is provided with forward and rearward adjustment through the medium of screws 83 and 84 passing through elongated notches 85 and" 86 respectively in downwardly depending flange portions 82 and 88 of the platform 13. The screws 83 and 84 thereupon pass into and engage the housing L2. The platform l3 and its rear guide flange M are thus positioned in any desired relationship with respect to the housing 52 and thusalso with respect to the platen 29 and cooperative stamping head 42. By adjusting the fore and aftposition of the guide it the printed material may be positioned at various levels on the card or envelope or the like.

In the operation of this machine a copy roll is applied on the supply spool M and thereupon fed beneath the stamping head i and attached to the rewind spool 68. If it is desired to address a plurality of envelopes with the names and addresses shown on the copy roll the following steps are performed. An envelope is slid across the platformiagainst the guide ii'ange hi, through the cooperative wetting and pressure rolls it and It whereupon the envelope'is located over the platen 2e and" beneath the stamping head 512. The first name and address on the copy roll is centered beneath the stamping head by viewing the copy roll indicia through: the transparent stamping head. A downward force is exerted on the handle ll and the wetted' envelope removes a portion of the aniline dye and trans fers the name and addressto the envelope previously slid into position on the platen it. This operation is successively performed and between each operationv the rewind. spooked is moved preferably by the index finger engaging the knurled edge of the side discs iter and can. In View of this method of advancing the copy roll it is immaterial whether the address to be transferred has two, three, or four lines as the address can be easily centered by use of hand andeye beneath the transparent stamping head 42 and thereupon transferred to the wetted envelope on the platen 29. Further the transparent stamping head permits the selecting or rejecting of certain. names on the list. The user may employ code letters ormarks adjacent each name forconvenience in selection of desired names. If a name and'address is incorrect a smallpiece of paper having the correct nan-ire and address with the proper dye backing may be fastened by mucilage or the like to the copy roll directly over the incorrect name and address. In this way the'copy roll may be easily kept up to date. l

A hand crank 89 is provided on the supply spool in order to permit easy" rewinding of the copy roll eitherior'. the purpose of replacing the -roll or rerunning it. through the machine for repeating the. process of imprinting the several. names thereon.

It is apparent that hereinisprovided a novel and economical means. of addressing a plurality oi envelopes on cards and I am aware that numerous details of construction may varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles disclosedherein and I therefore do not propose limiting-the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An imprinting machine comprising a supporting structure, a platen on said supporting structure, an arm. structure pivotally mounted on said supporting structure for swinging movement, a stamping head mounted on said arm structure intermediate the ends thereof and adapted to engage said platen when the arm structure is swung downwardly, means for adjustably positioning a dye impregnated copy roll list beneath said stamping head, means for feeding material to be imprinted to said platen, means for wetting said material to be imprinted with a dye dissolving solution, said means for adjustably positioning the copy roll list beneath the stamping head comprising a copy roll list supply spool journally mounted on said swinging arm structure and spaced in one direction from said stamping head, a take-up spool for said copy roll list journally mounted on said swinging arm structure and spaced in the opposite direction from said stamping headjand finger engaging means on said take-up spool to eilect feeding of said copy roll beneath the stamping head.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 comprising spring tensioning means for the supply and take-up spools.

3. An imprinting machine comprising a supporting structure, a platen on said supporting structure, an arm structure pivotally mounted on said supporting structure for swinging movement, a stamping head mounted on said arm structure intermediate the ends thereof and adapted to engage said platen when the arm structure is swung downwardly, means for adjustably positioning a dye impregnated copy roll list beneath said stamping head, means for feeding material to be imprinted to said platen, means for wetting said material to be imprinted with a dye dissolving solution, said means foradjustably positioning the copy roll list beneath the stamping head comprising a copy roll list sup ply spool journally mounted on said swinging arm structure and spaced in one direction from said stamping head, a take-up spool for said copy roll list journally mounted on said swinging'arm structure and spaced in the opposite direction from said stamping head, finger engaging means on said take-up spool to effect feeding of said copy roll beneath the stamping head, said stamping head being a transparent material wherebyit is possible to center or select a name and address therebeneath.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the supply spool is positioned at the rear or pivotal attaching end of the swinging arm structure and the take-up spool is positioned at substantially porting structure, a platen on said supporting structure, an arm structure pivotally mounted on said supporting structure for swinging move.- ment, a stamping head mounted on said arm structure intermediate the ends thereof and adapted to engage said platen when the arm structure is swung downwardly, means. for adjustably positioning a dye impregnated copy roll list beneath said stamping head, means for feeding material to be imprinted to said platen,

means for wetting said material to be imprinted with a dye dissolving solution, said means for feeding material to be imprinted to said platen comprising a pair of cooperative rolls, the first of said rolls journalled for rotation in said supporting structure and located to one side of said platen, said second cooperative roll mounted on a spring arm carried by said supporting structure, said spring arm arranged and constructed to urge said second cooperative roll against said first roll, said means for wetting the material to be imprinted including a reservoir of dye dissolving solution, a liquid tank adjacent the first of said feed rolls, means for delivering solution from the reservoir to the tank, wick means carried in said tank and engaging said first feed roll, said means for delivering solution from the reservoir to the tank including a tubular discharge from said reservoir, the bottom of said 8. A device as set forth in claim 7 in which the reservoir includes a spring closed valve arranged and constructed to automatically open,

when the reservoir is in position-on said tank.

JOSEPH A. WEBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 831,198 Tuttle et a1 Sept. 18, 1906 1,171,097 Cummings "Feb. 8, 1916 1,249,417 Kennedy Dec. 11, 1917 1,253,771 Bates Jan. 15, 1918 1,285,094 Fisher Nov. 19, 1918 1,319,568 Dahl Oct. 21, 1919 1,321,299 Gardner Nov. 11, 1919 1,327,520 Browning Jan. 6, 1920 1,869,090 Borchert July 26, 1932 1,955,798 Fassman Apr. 24, 1934 2,005,729 Doyle June 25, 1935 2,051,376 I-Iernlund Aug. 18; 1939 2,093,439 Hall Sept. 21, 1937 2,163,529 Storck June 30, 2,172,115 Trueman et a1 Sept. 5, 1939 2,184,362 Sauerman Dec. 28, 1939' 2,262,250 Rals ton Nov. 11, 1941 2,269,086 Morris Jan. 6,1942 2,352,149 Gautier June 20, 1944 2,409,872 Krueger Oct. 22, 1946 v FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 267,696 Great Britain Mar. 24, 1927 

